Mass shooting at Georgia homecoming celebration leaves 2 dead - Newsweek
Two people were killed and 35 others were injured after gunfire erupted at a homecoming weekend block party in central Georgia early Sunday morning, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI).
The shooting happened around 1:25 a.m. in Vienna, a city in Dooly County about 100 miles south of Atlanta. In a statement emailed to Newsweek on Sunday, the GBI said Dooly County Sheriff's Office deputies were patrolling the event when shots were fired from the 900 block of Pine Street.
Newsweek reached out to the Dooly County Sheriff's Office by phone for comment Sunday.
The Dooly County School System Superintendent Dr. Sherrod Willaford said the district was "deeply saddened" by the shooting and expressed condolences to the families of those killed and injured, noting that the event was not sponsored by the district.
The shooting is among the deadliest mass-casualty incidents reported in Georgia this year and comes as communities across the country continue to grapple with gun violence at large public gatherings.
The Gun Violence Archive (GVA) defines a mass shooting as an incident in which four or more people are shot, excluding the shooter.
The victims who were killed were found in the 600 block of Pine Street and were pronounced dead at the scene. Their identities have not yet been released. The victims' bodies will be taken to the GBI Medical Examiner's Office for autopsies, local station WMAZ reported.
Investigators have not disclosed a motive, released information about possible suspects or said whether multiple shooters may have been involved.
Democratic state Representative Patty Stinson, whose district includes Dooly County, told WMAZ she was "very heartbroken" by the violence.
"It was very heartbreaking to wake up this morning to learn that a mass shooting took place in Vienna," Stinson said. "I'm so sorry this has happened to all of these families who have been affected."
The shooting occurred during a block party associated with Dooly County High School's weekend homecoming celebrations.
Earlier Sunday, Dooly County Sheriff Craig Peavy told WMAZ that more than 1,000 people had gathered for the festivities and that at least 50 shots were fired. Peavy said deputies responded immediately after the shooting began.
The sheriff also told the station that some injuries occurred as people fled the area, with several victims reportedly struck by vehicles during the chaos. The GBI said victims were taken to several regional hospitals for treatment.
Willaford said the district has implemented additional safety measures ahead of Monday's return to school and activated crisis support teams to assist students and employees impacted by the violence.
"Our hearts are with the families grieving the loss of loved ones, those who were injured, and everyone affected by this tragedy," Willaford told Newsweek in an emailed statement. "We are grateful for the compassion and support being demonstrated throughout our community."
He emphasized that the gathering where the shooting occurred was not a school-sponsored event but acknowledged that the tragedy is likely to affect students, families and staff across the district.
"Student and staff safety remain our highest priority," Willaford said. "Recognizing the emotional impact of this tragedy, we have activated our crisis support teams to assist."
The district also urged residents to respect the privacy of affected families and avoid sharing unverified information or graphic images on social media, directing the public to rely on law enforcement updates and official school communications. Families seeking support were encouraged to contact their school's counselor or principal.
"We also encourage our community to check in with students, staff, parents and neighbors throughout the coming week," Willaford said. "A caring conversation, a listening ear, and continued support can make a meaningful difference."
The GBI and Dooly County Sheriff's Office are continuing to investigate what led to the shooting.
In its latest update, the GBI said the investigation remains "active and ongoing" and urged anyone with information to contact the agency's Regional Investigative Office in Perry. Once the investigation is complete, the case will be turned over to the Cordele Judicial Circuit District Attorney's Office for review and possible prosecution.
Newsweek’s reporters and editors used Martyn, our AI assistant, to produce this story. Learn more about Martyn here. Contact Newsweek editors for this story: Steve Mollman and Anthony Murray.
